Sylvia
Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
- Messages
- 85,369
This thread is for official announcements via the skaters' own social media accounts and/or links to news articles.
Friendly request: A skater retirement speculation thread is in the Trash Can (feel free to post/discuss any guesses & assumptions there
): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/skater-retirements-in-2026.113544/
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), 25 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00014151.htm), announced last June her plan to retire after this current season - link to her GSD news thread that was created in June 2025: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...lans-to-retire-after-season-2025-2026.112865/
Eva-Lotta Kiibus (EST), 22 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102060.htm) - from the OES News thread in November 2025:
Kai Jagoda (GER), 25 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054798.htm), announced his retirement after winning the bronze at Nationals - his Dec. 16, 2025 post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVPoU6iMdK/
One last dance -
After these really good Nationals I have decided to stop skating on a competitive level. The last years had been full with ups and downs, for me as a person, but also as an athlete it’s been a crazy ride.
I can’t even describe how grateful I am for all the people around me and everyone who supported me, especially in the last year, it was probably the hardest time I had to get through.
Nonetheless I can end this chapter with a big smile and I’m looking forward to the next steps.
Burak Demirboga (TUR), 29 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013414.htm) - from posts in the OES News thread on December 2025:
www.instagram.com
Auto-translation of the beginning:
I've been dreading this day for a long time. Saying goodbye to the ice has always been a very hard idea for me, and I didn’t want to think about it, when it was possible. But the time has come.
My dear teacher, the one who has been with me since I opened my eyes; with whom we won all the successes together, some days we cried together from joy and some days from sadness, every time I enter the exit, in whom I trust saying "I have a teacher Rana"... @rana_gocmen
I forever thank you for bringing me this far.
Tatsuya Tsuboi (JPN), 23 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054883.htm) - "I'm happy to end it here," says Tatsuya Tsuboi, who suddenly announces his retirement after placing 13th at the All Japan Championships. He plans to pursue research at Kobe University's Graduate School. [Japanese article link]
His 12/25/25 message via sysmex_figureskatingteam's account: https://www.instagram.com/p/DStscDTGPbh/
Ava Marie Ziegler (USA), 19, following her WD before the start of 2026 Nationals: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTQSl6iDrlt/
I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who provided such excellent care, the journey back has been difficult. I worked as hard as I could to rebuild my strength and regain my jumps, spins, and confidence, but I haven’t been able to return to the level needed for competition.
This process has taken a heavy toll on me both mentally and physically. Skating has been a massive part of my life and has given me so many wonderful opportunities. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me get to where I am today especially my amazing coaches and family who helped me through the good and bad. I would never have been able to make it this far without them.
Michael Xie (USA), 20 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111712.htm), who placed 14th a few days ago in his 3rd U.S. Nationals as a Senior and is in his 3rd year at the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in data science & linguistics (includes skating clips of a young Michael):
www.instagram.com
“While I dedicate so much of my life to skating, I walk away from the rink with so much more.”
It’s undeniable that my interests have diversified, and my time in the competitive skating world is coming to an end. With increasing pressures of strenuous university courses, career advancements, personal relationships, and the desire to live my life and let loose, it’s become difficult to carve time out of the day to maintain my time at the rink.
The above quote from one of my best friend’s college essay has been resonating with me recently. looking back on my 10.5 years of training and competing across the world, i walk away with so many incredible memories, sustained relationships, and irreplicable lessons i carry with me everyday. i’m beyond grateful for everybody who has molded me on this journey; not exclusively coaches but also my training mates, competitors, and supporters - i want to express my sincere gratitude to anyone i’ve interacted with on the way. from parents at icetown carlsbad giving me advice on my spins to an “old lady fan” supporting me during tough runthroughs, every piece of advice has guided me to the place I stand today.
Thank you especially to @mari.malama @nanitanaka @axisoniceofficial for continued support through hard times and to my family for encouraging me wholeheartedly through my adventure. While some seasons were difficult, I do not regret a single decision my family has made to advance my training. my mother was always a phone call away to remind me of my goals and to guide me back to the right path; my father was there to handle tough conversations.
Looking towards the future, I plan on competing collegiately and continuing to put in the work academically and professionally to develop my interpersonal skills further.
Thank you all again for this journey - M谢
Sihyeong Lee (KOR), 25 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054720.htm):
www.instagram.com
Auto-translation:
Little late start to fourth grade of elementary school
All of my life and has been
I'm about to finish my player life now.
What I could come so far
With my heart who loved and loved to skate,
Many teachers who taught me with love and support,
Teacher Choi Hyung Kyung who led me until the end.
Thank you so much for supporting my dream,
For those who love my skating,
And thanks to my mother who raised me up to now.
To many of you who have been with me
I want to express my sincere gratitude.
So the end is another beginning,
I will try to live a life where I can give as much love as I receive.
2010–2026
Thank you for everything you have done.
==
Please feel free to post any other announcements I may have missed (will do another search on FSU as well as check elsewhere online) together with source links.
Friendly request: A skater retirement speculation thread is in the Trash Can (feel free to post/discuss any guesses & assumptions there
): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/skater-retirements-in-2026.113544/Kaori Sakamoto (JPN), 25 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00014151.htm), announced last June her plan to retire after this current season - link to her GSD news thread that was created in June 2025: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...lans-to-retire-after-season-2025-2026.112865/
Eva-Lotta Kiibus (EST), 22 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00102060.htm) - from the OES News thread in November 2025:
Nov. 18:Eva Lotte Kiibus has retired
Kai Jagoda (GER), 25 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054798.htm), announced his retirement after winning the bronze at Nationals - his Dec. 16, 2025 post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSVPoU6iMdK/
One last dance -
After these really good Nationals I have decided to stop skating on a competitive level. The last years had been full with ups and downs, for me as a person, but also as an athlete it’s been a crazy ride.
I can’t even describe how grateful I am for all the people around me and everyone who supported me, especially in the last year, it was probably the hardest time I had to get through.
Nonetheless I can end this chapter with a big smile and I’m looking forward to the next steps.
Burak Demirboga (TUR), 29 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013414.htm) - from posts in the OES News thread on December 2025:
Burak Demirboğa, 29, coached by Rana Belkis Göçmen since he was 6 years old ... "will take to the ice for the last time at the Turkish FS Championships [Dec. 19-21, 2025] to be held in Kocaeli, where he started his sport, and will bring his athletic career to an end."
Artistik buz patenci Demirboğa, başladığı "pistte" bitirecek
Artistik buz pateni milli sporcusu Burak Demirboğa, branşa başladığı Kocaeli’de düzenlenecek Türkiye Şampiyonası’nda bu kez son kez piste çıkarak sporculuk kariyerini noktalayacak. - Anadolu Ajansıwww.aa.com.tr
Demirboga's own photos and message thanking everyone who supported him during his career (Dec. 22, 2025):Turkish fed. held a special ceremony after the Nationals Men's FS to honor Burak Demirboga's career as well as his coach (9 photos): https://www.instagram.com/p/DSiW_wSDIV0/
His coach posted this throwback photo with a young Burak captioned "25 straight YEARS after saying "I don't want a female mentor" !!!!":
@rana_gocmen on Instagram: "“Ben kadın hoca istemem” demenin ardından aralıksız geçen 25 YIL !!!! Uluslararası platformda bu işin yapılabileceğinin, hedeflerin ulaşılabilir olabileceğinin kanıtı oldun sen … senden daha iyi Sporcular yetiştireceğin
712 likes, 25 comments - rana_gocmen on December 22, 2025: "“Ben kadın hoca istemem” demenin ardından aralıksız geçen 25 YIL !!!! Uluslararası platformda bu işin yapılabileceğinin, hedeflerin ulaşılabilir olabileceğinin kanıtı oldun sen … senden daha iyi Sporcular yetiştireceğin günlerde...
Burak Demirboga on Instagram: "Uzun zamandır bugünün gelmesinden korkuyordum. Buzla vedalaşmak, benim için her zaman çok zor bir fikirdi ve mümkün oldukça bunu düşünmek istemedim. Ama artık vakti geldi. Gözümü açtığımdan beri yanımda olan; tüm başar
727 likes, 34 comments - burakdemirboga on December 22, 2025: "Uzun zamandır bugünün gelmesinden korkuyordum. Buzla vedalaşmak, benim için her zaman çok zor bir fikirdi ve mümkün oldukça bunu düşünmek istemedim. Ama artık vakti geldi. Gözümü açtığımdan beri yanımda olan; tüm başarıları birlikte...
www.instagram.com
I've been dreading this day for a long time. Saying goodbye to the ice has always been a very hard idea for me, and I didn’t want to think about it, when it was possible. But the time has come.
My dear teacher, the one who has been with me since I opened my eyes; with whom we won all the successes together, some days we cried together from joy and some days from sadness, every time I enter the exit, in whom I trust saying "I have a teacher Rana"... @rana_gocmen
I forever thank you for bringing me this far.
Tatsuya Tsuboi (JPN), 23 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054883.htm) - "I'm happy to end it here," says Tatsuya Tsuboi, who suddenly announces his retirement after placing 13th at the All Japan Championships. He plans to pursue research at Kobe University's Graduate School. [Japanese article link]
His 12/25/25 message via sysmex_figureskatingteam's account: https://www.instagram.com/p/DStscDTGPbh/
Ava Marie Ziegler (USA), 19, following her WD before the start of 2026 Nationals: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTQSl6iDrlt/
I’m writing to share that I’ve decided to step away from competitive skating. Over the past two years, l’ve faced significant challenges, including two surgeries in just six months. While I am incredibly grateful to the doctors who provided such excellent care, the journey back has been difficult. I worked as hard as I could to rebuild my strength and regain my jumps, spins, and confidence, but I haven’t been able to return to the level needed for competition.
This process has taken a heavy toll on me both mentally and physically. Skating has been a massive part of my life and has given me so many wonderful opportunities. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me get to where I am today especially my amazing coaches and family who helped me through the good and bad. I would never have been able to make it this far without them.
Michael Xie (USA), 20 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00111712.htm), who placed 14th a few days ago in his 3rd U.S. Nationals as a Senior and is in his 3rd year at the University of California at Berkeley, majoring in data science & linguistics (includes skating clips of a young Michael):
michael xie // 谢嘉楠 on Instagram: "“While I dedicate so much of my life to skating, I walk away from the rink with so much more.” It’s undeniable that my interests have diversified, and my time in the competitive skating world is coming to an end. Wi
375 likes, 88 comments - mukeandukea on January 12, 2026: "“While I dedicate so much of my life to skating, I walk away from the rink with so much more.” It’s undeniable that my interests have diversified, and my time in the competitive skating world is coming to an end. With increasing...
www.instagram.com
It’s undeniable that my interests have diversified, and my time in the competitive skating world is coming to an end. With increasing pressures of strenuous university courses, career advancements, personal relationships, and the desire to live my life and let loose, it’s become difficult to carve time out of the day to maintain my time at the rink.
The above quote from one of my best friend’s college essay has been resonating with me recently. looking back on my 10.5 years of training and competing across the world, i walk away with so many incredible memories, sustained relationships, and irreplicable lessons i carry with me everyday. i’m beyond grateful for everybody who has molded me on this journey; not exclusively coaches but also my training mates, competitors, and supporters - i want to express my sincere gratitude to anyone i’ve interacted with on the way. from parents at icetown carlsbad giving me advice on my spins to an “old lady fan” supporting me during tough runthroughs, every piece of advice has guided me to the place I stand today.
Thank you especially to @mari.malama @nanitanaka @axisoniceofficial for continued support through hard times and to my family for encouraging me wholeheartedly through my adventure. While some seasons were difficult, I do not regret a single decision my family has made to advance my training. my mother was always a phone call away to remind me of my goals and to guide me back to the right path; my father was there to handle tough conversations.
Looking towards the future, I plan on competing collegiately and continuing to put in the work academically and professionally to develop my interpersonal skills further.
Thank you all again for this journey - M谢
Sihyeong Lee (KOR), 25 (https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054720.htm):
이시형 (Sihyeong Lee) on Instagram: "조금은 늦은 초등학교 4학년에 시작해 저의 인생의 전부이자 그 자체였던 선수 생활을 이제 마무리하려고 합니다. 지금까지 올 수 있었던 건 스케이트를 좋아하고 사랑했던 제 마음과, 저를 사랑과 응원으로 가르쳐 주신 많은 선생님들, 마지막까지 저를 이끌어 주신 최형경 선생님, 저의 꿈을 지원해 주신 많은 분들, 저의 스케이팅을 사랑해 주신 분들, 그리고 부족한 저를 지금까지 뒷바라지해
sihyeong__lee on January 13, 2026: "조금은 늦은 초등학교 4학년에 시작해 저의 인생의 전부이자 그 자체였던 선수 생활을 이제 마무리하려고 합니다. 지금까지 올 수 있었던 건 스케이트를 좋아하고 사랑했던 제 마음과, 저를 사랑과 응원으로 가르쳐 주신 많은 선생님들, 마지막까지 저를 이끌어 주신 최형경 선생님, 저의 꿈을 지원해 주신 많은 분들, 저의 스케이팅을 사랑해 주신 분들, 그리고 부족한 저를 지금까지 뒷바라지해 주신 어머니 덕분입니다. 그동안 함께해 주신 많은 분들께 진심으로 감사의...
www.instagram.com
Little late start to fourth grade of elementary school
All of my life and has been
I'm about to finish my player life now.
What I could come so far
With my heart who loved and loved to skate,
Many teachers who taught me with love and support,
Teacher Choi Hyung Kyung who led me until the end.
Thank you so much for supporting my dream,
For those who love my skating,
And thanks to my mother who raised me up to now.
To many of you who have been with me
I want to express my sincere gratitude.
So the end is another beginning,
I will try to live a life where I can give as much love as I receive.
2010–2026
Thank you for everything you have done.
==
Please feel free to post any other announcements I may have missed (will do another search on FSU as well as check elsewhere online) together with source links.
Last edited:
- on Dec. 9, 2025:
It’s time.. The time has come to officially say goodbye to my racing figure skating career, and also to one of the most important chapters of my life and childhood!
THANK YOU 
2-time German champion
2x World Championship participant
